Blog

The Greenburgh Nature Center is a leader in environmental education and is dedicated to its mission to ignite passion, curiosity, and respect for our natural world. This mission is not limited to any one community. We seek to provide an opportunity for all citizens of all communities to enjoy this beautiful 33-acre property located in the heart of lower Westchester County. The Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that impacts nearly 90,000 people every year through various programs and events.

We, as the Board of Directors, want to state that the Greenburgh Nature Center takes absolutely no position for or against the potential incorporation of the Edgemont community. Additionally, we are confident that both the Town of Greenburgh and the citizens of Edgemont want to continue to fully support the Nature Center’s ability to achieve our mission objectives and to provide a memorable nature experience for everyone.

We also recognize that the Nature Center is a single component of a rather complex situation, and it is due to that complexity that we have chosen to provide some clarity regarding our operations. These considerations are purely intended to ensure every person is as well informed as possible regarding the operational needs of the Nature Center:

• The Greenburgh Nature Center enjoys a special relationship with the Edgemont community and its 33-acre park sits squarely within Edgemont’s borders. Edgemont residents comprise over 20% of our membership and about the same percentage of our contributors. Edgemont schools are, by far, the largest users of our school programs.

• The Greenburgh Nature Center has a long-established relationship with the Town of Greenburgh. The Town contributes $337,100 annually to our operating budget, and provides many services that are not accounted for in the budget yet are critical to the Nature Center. These include but are not limited to routine maintenance of buildings and grounds, tree service, and security. The Town also contributes funding and labor for special projects such as renovations to the Nature Center’s Manor House, improvements to animal quarters, and extending water lines to the Center’s Meadow. Over the last three years, the Town of Greenburgh also has contributed nearly $800,000 for essential repairs to the Manor House, and has committed another $75,000 to our new Barn project. We anticipate a 2018 capital appropriation of several hundred thousand dollars more for additional critical repairs to our 100-year old Manor House.

• The Feasibility Study prepared by the Edgemont Incorporation Committee assumes that the Town of Greenburgh might reduce its support for the Nature Center from the Parks and Recreation Department budget by approximately the same percentage as Edgemont taxes contribute to Town revenues (26%). However, the soft costs of the above-mentioned services and site improvements do not appear to have been fully captured, and there is uncertainty at present as to who would provide those.

• As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Nature Center relies on private donations and other funding for about 70% of its budget. The Nature Center’s staff is not employed nor paid by the Town of Greenburgh.

We want to restate that the Nature Center remains neutral on this issue. The considerations stated above are intended only to ensure that, in any scenario, we can continue to maintain this property and provide an amazing experience for visitors. Maintenance and care come at an expense and effort.

Though the specifics of needed support have not been completely presented to us, we are optimistic all parties will work together to continue the current level of support for this wonderful community-focused institution.

As spring transitions to summer each year, the Greenburgh Nature Center receives many questions from concerned Westchester residents regarding what to do when a baby or injured animal is found. Although we are happy to provide information on this issue, the Greenburgh Nature Center itself is not a rehabilitation center and the only people legally allowed to treat and release wild animals are wildlife rehabilitators licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). If you see a clear injury or are having doubts, please refrain from bringing any animals to the Nature Center and instead visit theDEC’s website for a list of licensed rehabilitators in your area.

The DEC reminds us all that late May to early June is peak birthing season for a variety of New York wildlife and it is not unusual to come across baby animals that appear to be orphaned or neglected. However, these young animals are in fact going through a normal process of learning how to survive on their own. Attempting to remove them from the wild often does more harm than good. Parents are usually still in the area checking in on their babies and they may delay their visits if they detect human interference. This is why it is so important to adhere to the DEC saying, “If You Care, Leave It There.”

We’re so happy to announce that we have been selected as a finalist in the Westchester Family 2018 Family Favorites contest as a favorite Nature Center in Westchester. Thank you for your continued support! Click here to vote for YOUR favorite Nature Center!

The Greenburgh Nature Center and partners are offering backyard compost bins and rain barrels at a discounted price. Pre-order items today to be picked up at the Greenburgh Nature Center on Saturday, June 16 from 10am – 4pm. Last day to place your order is Monday, June 11.

We hope everyone had a great Earth Day! On Friday, April 20, the Greenburgh Nature Center visited the Seely Place School to teach fourth and fifth graders about sustainable habits and renewable energy.

Zero Waste & Beyond!

Sustainability Intern, Noah Brennan and Special Projects Manager, Pam Miner lead an interactive program about how to practice Zero Waste through the three Rs of sustainability: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Students took turns spinning the Wheel of Waste and working together to decide in which bin each item belonged-trash, recycle, or compost. Then, their knowledge was put to the test in the Recycle Relay! In two teams, students retrieved materials from “Trash Mountain” and ran across the room to sort the waste into the appropriate bin. Students were buzzing with excitement as they successfully sorted the mountain. At the end of the session, students brainstormed ways that they could continue these sustainable habits in their daily lives such as walking to school, turning off the lights when they leave the room, and switching to reusable water bottles. What great ideas!

The race is on to sort materials into the appropriate bins!

Who wants to spin the Wheel of Waste?

A student sorting items from “Trash Mountain.”

A Look at Renewable Energy & Cookie Mining

Naturalist Educator, John Mancuso, gave an engaging presentation explaining different types of energy and the importance of using renewable energy sources. Nonrenewable energy vs renewable energy – what’s the difference? Nonrenewable energy is derived from sources that will eventually run out like coal or oil and cause pollution when burned. Renewable energy is fuel that can never run out or is quickly replenished such as solar or wind energy, and created less of an impact on the environment when used to produce electricity.

John Mancuso teaching students at the Seely Place School about renewable energy.

To reinforce the information presented, John used a hands-on STEM-based activity called Cookie Mining. Students received a cookie and were instructed to mine the chocolate chips or “coal” from the cookie to demonstrate the economic and environmental issues of coal mining. Who knew learning about energy could be so sweet?

Thank you to everyone at the Seely Place School for participating in Earth Day and taking the time to learn about how we can live more sustainably.

As the warmer months approach, it’s important to be aware of everything coming to life in nature, including ticks. When spending time outdoors and at the Nature Center, please follow the New York State Department of Health tips for tick safety:

Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.

Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants.

Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.